By by Tim Hinchliffe | The Sociable
Ahead of last’s weeks vote on an update to the European digital identity framework, a small number of MEPs spoke out against the adoption of an EU-wide digital identity wallet, calling it an insult to democracy that was creating a QR code society and leading to a Chinese-style system of social credit.
The updated regulation was adopted last Thursday, with a majority of MEPs welcoming the European digital identity wallet as being a safe, secure, and convenient digital tool for all European Union members.
Parliament has greenlit a new system to make it easier to access public and private services anywhere in the EU: the digital wallet.
Find out more ↓ pic.twitter.com/EVCKmgPa5G
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) February 29, 2024
However, there was a small handful of MEPs who warned in the debate that the digital identity agenda came about in an undemocratic way, that it was vulnerable to corrupt governments, and that it could create an Orwellian model of society.
“The idea of a digital wallet essentially puts the finishing touches on a path that will lead us to the total control of society […] From here the European Union can become an all-encompassing and perpetual QR code society”
Gerolf Annemans, MEP for Belgium
“A sinister agenda.. The idea of a digital wallet essentially puts the finishing touches on a path that will lead us to the total control of society.. From here the European Union can become an all-encompassing & perpetual QR code society”
MEP GEROLF ANNEMANS @gannemans, BELGIUM pic.twitter.com/WTQZqmyRUx— Tim Hinchliffe (@TimHinchliffe) March 4, 2024
Belgian MEP Gerolf Annemans warned that the EU digital identity wallet could become a prison or a leash to control all of society:
“Mr President, colleagues, today we are at a crossroads. We have to make a decision that will have profound consequences for the freedoms of European citizens and for their privacy in the future. Read Full Article >
